Tickle Me Tech: How to Create Attractive Cover Pages for Your Teachers Pay Teachers Products

Hi Everyone!! It has been a while, but I am here to Tickle you all with some Tech Tips!!! I have created a simple tutorial for beginners wanting to learn how to create an attractive cover page for products created for a Teachers Pay Teachers shop!!

Click the image above to download this tutorial from my TpT shop!!

One of the most common techy questions I get (pertaining to clip art) is how to use digital papers, frames and clip art in a document to create digital products. People often ask me how to add text over backgrounds or frames, or how to layer frames. Sometimes, I do wonder about some of my buyers... the ones who purchase clip art and then send me an email asking me how to use clip art. Many times, I have sat back in my chair thinking to myself how to even begin explaining this to someone. 

Me: Where do I begin?

My Brain: How should I know. Maybe you should start with a definition for clip art.

Me:Do they even have a computer?

My Brain: Probably in the classroom... and if there is one at home, chances are  - it is ancient!!

Me: Why does one purchase clip art without first knowing what it is for?

My Brain: Who cares... it's a sale - WOo HOo!! 

Haha!!

Well, after much debating with my brain, I finally came up with the perfect solution!!

I call it: Tickle Me Tech and it's my newest Tech series that will cover everything I know from the very basics to the most advanced. I am working very hard to put more tutorials together and I would eventually like to create a collection that can be downloaded in one zipped file. I even created a cute logo for the series. I came up with the name because I always feel "tickled" with joy whenever I learn something new and techy. I also know how excited many of you get when you learn something new pertaining to technology and the only word to describe this sort of happiness is, tickled!!! 

At this point, I will be posting a new "tickle" once a month...that is...unless time miraculously decides to be my best friend. Lately, time feels more like an ex husband than a friend, but only time will tell what will happen in the future..hahaha. 

 Instead of cluttering a blog post with images no one can read, I am linking the image above to my TpT shop, where you can download the tutorial and read it when you are ready. 

I really do hope this tutorial is helpful to many of you in the beginning stages of building your online Teachers Pay Teacher Shops!! For those of you who are more advanced, please feel free to bookmark or better yet, PIN this tutorial to keep as a tool and reference for beginners you know.

I really love blessing all of you by sharing my knowledge and offering free resources and clip art. I put just as much time into my free resources as I do for those I put up for sale. I am always blessed by your feedback and I love hearing about what you create. Please continue leaving feedback and pinning anything and everything - those little efforts make a tremendous difference & I can use all the help I can get.

And another crazy thought.... I was looking at some stats today and I jumped for joy when I realized that nearly 100,000 people have downloaded my FREE Frames and Borders set on TpT!! That is Crazy Talk!!!! Then I quickly realized that not even a quarter of that number chose to follow my shop...

Sadness and a vanilla cone!!!

I think following someones store should be a requirement when getting a freebie; however, TpT works on an honors system.... hint.. hint....

SO...If you love the RAD and Awesome FREEBIES, please make sure to follow my shop.... it is just rude not to..hahaha!!! I never grab a freebie without following...I believe it is the best complement and appreciation I can give in return to the seller.

Have an AWESOME WEEK everyone!!!!

Here is a free background I created for this tutorial.. Feel free to grab this freebie, but please make sure to link this image back to my blog whenever you use it. You can read my Terms of Use for more copyright information. 

Commercial Use Okay

The digital papers and frames used to create this tutorial and free product cover are available in my shop. This Kit will be marked down 50% this week only!!! Click the image below to grab this set. 

Clipart Challenge Linky

 

Hi Everyone!!

Several fabulous clipartists and bloggers have come together for an amazing Clipart Challenge hosted by Primary Possibilities!  Each blogger is featuring a clipartist and a product they made using that artist's images!  This is a great way to discover new clipart creators for your summer creations.   So keep reading and following the linky at the bottom to head on to the next post!  You may even pick up some freebies along the way!

I had the honor of being teamed up with Christina from...

I was very excited when I found out that I was teamed up with Christina.She is such a sweatheart & amazingly talented!! The way this works is that I provide her with some clip art (inspiration) and then allow her to put her creative talents to work. 

Although she actually owns a lot of my graphics sets, I had put up some new things for her to get excited about..WOo HOo!!

With my Specialty Cakes Clipart downloaded, she went straight to work on creating a fun resource. 

In about a week (yes...she is that good), she was able to create a fun cake-themed inference activity filled with useful goodies titled, 

Have Your Cake and Inference Too!!

Included in the resource (taken from her TpT store description found HERE):

Ten fun cakes and order forms are included as well as:
*an 8.5"x11" sign defining inferences to display during your study
*a letter from the owner of the bake shop explaining the task
*an extra set of order forms with the important information in red  

  for students who need extra support
*3 versions of the student recording sheet
*3 extension activities where students can design their own cakes
*an "I can" statement card to display during your study

Read more about this resource and discover what other Clipart Challenge Resources were created by clicking HERE!!

I can't wait to see what other artist/teacher teams came up with!! This was so much fun and I just have to give a BIG GIANT 

THANK YOU

to Staphany from Primary Possibilities for putting this entire challenge together!! 

Here are some of the graphics sets that were used to create this inference activity...

    

Have a great day & thank you for visiting!!!

Loading InLinkz ...

There's a Snake in My Boot!!!

Okay... there is NOT a snake in my boot, but... did I at least get your attention??? hahaha
Well, I have worked straight through the night... well knowing that I have a Dr.'s  Apt. today.... I think my Dr.'s advice might be for me to get some rest.... yikes!! So, if you catch spelling or grammatical errors, just pretend that I am sending you a text message and guesstimate my words to the nearest syllable or use context clues to determine what makes sense... hahaha... I am afraid I will not be much good for editing in this post... BUT... I am posting.... WOo HOo!!

Hey... if it makes you feel better (for all of you grammar Nazi's out there), cut and paste the worst offenses and save them for lessons where you can allow your students to spot the crimes... I have done my time in school...let them have a go at it..haha

On to the REAL news...
I have been working very hard adding many new features to my blog and getting my website ready to be published!! I am far more picky when it comes to my own blog/web design & I tend to get SOOOO side-tracked by my fascination of web coding and the need to WOW all of you... So.... tell me.... have I wow'ed you yet, or are the moving parts a bit of a distraction?? Be honest... I can take it (use an eCard if you need to..haha). I am beginning to think that there are too many things moving on the blog, but I like them all individually... You all have to look at it too, so please... let me know what you all think...

Moving on....

I have added a TON of new links, forms and pages to my blog and I would LOVE for you to check them out while you're here today...

New links...

Located in the Custom Design Drop-Down menu (top navigation) you will find...

DESIGN SERVICES
I have created a very cool interactive image link (which I will be putting together an awesome tutorial for). Click on the hanging signs in the image to link to the services and forms that I now have available to you!! Here is a mini-me of what the page looks like.... Now tell me that isn't cute!!! I dare you!!!

Using the image map links, you can now order a custom blog design, a custom blog linky button, Blogger add-ons, and even....  

send me a custom request by filling out a form!!! I am so excited!!!

(I know.... for those of you nerds out there, this is old school coding; however, how else am I supposed to organize info like this on a blog page..plus, I like it... I "LOK" IT A-LOT)

Another NEW page added is one you will DEFINITELY want to check out. Navigate your little fingers to push your pointer up to the "Hoarder Heaven" tab on the drop-down menu (Under the header and the last tab to the right of the navigation menu) Hover over "Hoarder Heaven" and click on the "Freebies" link to go straight to my NEW Freebie Frenzy Page...

This page pretty much speaks for itself, but I will just tell you that I have made finding all of my freebies....that much easier!!! The page looks a little crazy; however, I was going for a "ROSS" sort of feeling... You might have to sift a bit, but there are labeled sections... and now when your friends ask you where you got your freebies, you can tell them....

Do you LOVE it? 

I LOVE it!

I GOT IT AT ....

The3amteacherblog...  

If you say it really fast (excluding all of the consonants, except for the letter, r), you might pull off a one syllable word... I am still working on that part...hahaha I should make a button for that and start a blog linky.... hmmmm... ideas are beginning to flow right about now....

Well, this was a super, SUPER short blog post, but I wanted to give you some time to browse through the new sections and grab some freebies that you might not yet have. I will be adding to this page throughout the day, so keep checking in to see if there is something new... Trust me... ALL of my freebies are name brand - top of the line - stuff.... although some might have some slight imperfections... like for instance, the pocket might be sewn shut and you won't know this until you get home... 

Oh wait, I am referring to my high school horrors of being forced to shop at Ross... Never mind... I don't make imperfections... I make perfections with deviations from the normal...hahaha

Enjoy Hoarder Heaven and don't forget to leave me some lovin' on TpT when you download something...I truly love the complements... they keep me motivated and focused!! Bring on the positive reinforcements, friends! I am gonna need it after this night. Am I somehow typing in a bigger font? Everything suddenly seems much easier to read.... Strange occurrences begin to happen (wait, that sounds redundant..if they are occurring  then they are already happening...hahaha). I better end this before I completely lose it!!

But before I go... here is another new creation of mine. I am IN LOVE with these colors and this set actually came to life by accident...at first. These colors make me happy (was I too subtle in the title, you think?). This set is only $3.50... for life!!! I would love some feedback if you happen to need these colors in your collection... because...like me...they make you happy....(I am thinking of a theme song as we speak...urrr... as I type - I hope you can hear it too)...

Find this on...

Teachers Pay Teachers

Etsy

Happy Tuesday Everyone!!!

Listen like Spring and talk like June....and some FREEBIES!!

The 3AM Teacher is back in the atmosphere!!
Here is a little freebie to set the tone of my post this morning. This is my crow from my Crow with a Bow set.

There is nothing better that waking up happy on a BEAUTIFUL Saturday morning, turning on Pandora and the look on my kids' faces when we tell them that we are cleaning the house today......PRICELESS...hahaha
Actually, I can think of many things that are better..hahaha

NEW 3AM Design, NEW Blog Store & Discount & FREE Blog Design ELements!!

                                        If you have been wondering where I've been, then take a look around my blog!!! It took me FOREVER to come up with a design that I was happy  enough with to go for it. The lack of a navigation and the drab colors were too much for me to take any longer & I finally dedicated some time and went for it!!
What do you think??? I like my Social networking images and links with the mustache..hahaha....
The code that took me the longest to write was the code for the Blog Store page!! I forgot how to set up the code for tables & had to re-learn that process....ugh!! What a pain...BUT..TOTALLY worth it!!
As many of you already know, I am working from home full-time now and the pressure is definitely on! With Christmas around the corner and college for my daughter only 2 years away, I have become a workaholic!! It is definitely difficult to not have a steady paycheck and medical, but I am thankful and blessed everyday for the little progress I make each month! I couldn't have done all of this without all of my blog friends & I am so thankful to have all of you!! You definitely keep me sane! hahaha
Although my TPT store continues to grow, I still need income coming in more frequently. I started to design a website, but my lack of time prevented me from finishing it yet. I decided to create a blog store in the meantime to see how it goes before I launch an entire site..hahaha...(maybe I just need time to procrastinate more on my website designing...eekers).
I have only placed up four sets on the blog store; however, I have created a custom discount code that will give you 25% off until Wednesday at Midnight (mountain standard time - Arizona). Check out my poster....hahaha

I have linked the "add to cart" buttons to my Payloadz, so that you can apply the discount code before checking out. You can still choose to checkout with Paypal by choosing the Paypal option towards the bottom of the checkout screen.  After Wednesday, the normal Paypal buttons will show up under each set and more items will be added to the blog store (-; The 25% discount will give you my NEW SILLY WORLD HOLIDAY bundle for only $10.50!! Pretty good for SEVEN custom graphics sets and over 160 images (including the black line art)!!

I hope you take advantage of the discount this week & please let me know how the checkout process went for you. I have never used the buttons on my blog before, so this will be a first....lets hope all goes to plan..hahaha
Thank you so much for stopping by! I would love to know what you think of the new design!! It takes some getting used to, but I think I-LIKE-IT..hahaha
Because I spent so much time away from you, I thought I would give you a few free blog design elements....enjoy!
You can use these to make your own special elements to your blogs!!

 Here are some previous design elements that I am retiring. You are more than welcome to use them in your own blog designs (-;

Freebies are fun!! Thank you for visiting Friend! If you would like to share the Sale poster and/or pin it, please do so...it will keep me smiling throughout the week (-; I even added new code to make it easier to pin things on my blog. Thank you Jessica Stanford for the help with the pin code for the obsessive pinner...hahaha...

I actually just noticed that you (Jessica) used one of my FREE backgrounds for your blog design!! What an HONOR!! 

I hope you check her out!!

I you would like to add the pin-it button next to each image within your blog posts, check out the tutorial I used...it is VERY simple...

http://www.codeitpretty.com/2012/04/add-pin-it-buttons-to-your-blogger.html

P.S. Just remember that when you are asked to look for the <b:skin> in your Blogger Template, it might be difficult to find...unless you do this...

1. Open the HTML editor & check the "EXPAND WIDGET" box at the top left corner of the editor

2. Now Click CTRL + F and type <b:skin> in the search box. 

The code will be highlighted & you will have saved yourself some valuable time. The tutorial did not mention this, so I thought I would give you the instructions...just in case you are not familiar with the process.

Enjoy your OCD Pin-It Posts after this tutorial..bwahahaha!!

You GUYS and GALS are AMAZING!!     

Winner, Winner & Charlie, the EATER!!

Well, HELL-OOO bloggers!! I can't believe that Halloween is already here...holy cow!!! This year is going by so fast!! Before I get into anything, I have 2 winners to announce from my Bloggiversary fun last week!! Winner #1

A Little Somethin' Somethin' for Sunday: How to Block Ads from Facebook Tutorial!!!

I have to first say that I am seeing my art out in the world more often & it makes me feel so excited that you all are using my graphics to make some of the most incredible resources!! I have a collaborative Pinterest board and would like for anyone to join who would like to brag about stuff they have created using my art... I love being able to see everything in one place (-; If you would like to join, just leave your Pinterest link below & I will add you as an exclusive pinner..hahaha... You can even grab the cute button I created to get more traffic to that board. 
Here is the link if you would like to take a quick peek http://pinterest.com/3amteacher/education-products-using-3am-graphics/


I am not sure if many of you have noticed, but lately, Facebook has been bombarded with third party ads and sponsors. The ads were not so invasive before the Facebook interface changed to the Timeline. Anything inappropriate, I was able to click the little "x" in the top right hand corner of the ad & then remove it...simple. The more inappropriate ads I removed, the less I received until I did not get anything that I would not be embarrassed to have pop-up. 
Now, it seems like you can't even scroll through your wall without there being some ad that pops up. It has become so bad and invasive that I have not allowed my kids to play their games. Well, my son asked to play a few Zynga games and I let in - how bad could a few games be, right?? Well, this morning he came running in and said that there was an ad that kept showing up and he couldn't get rid of it! I told him to bring me the computer...
"Mommy is the geek, so any computer issues are always brought to me"...hahaha
When he brought me the computer -  I WAS TOTALLY SHOCKED!!  I have never had ads as bad as this before!! There was a HUGE (full sidebar) picture of a (almost nude) woman with the text, "You Know You're Curious....Click Here"
Holy !*&#^HKJDFHKLUHSISUH:ALKN<OI*^&$)(&#_)(*#)(#@!!
How DARE they invade our privacy like that!! I tried changing the privacy settings, turning off the chat and upping the security, but it still would not go away. When I tried to close the ad using the "x" in the top right corner, I was immediately taken to a PORN site!!! It is one thing that this crap pops up on the T.V. all the time when you're least expecting it (which is one reason I don't have cable....), but it is even worse when you are on your OWN account and this stuff finds its way to invade your thoughts. 
I Don't feel that anyone should be forced to have to watch or see anything they don't want to. I stopped our cable because the kids just sat in front of it for hours, but also because I was so tired of being forced to watch half-nude women pop-up on the screen in-between a discovery show...or Fringe.... 
The networks always say, "well, you don't have to watch it"...which is completely true! EXCEPT....the stuff pops up right after a flippin' potty commercial or a commercial about Stovetop!! To me, that is forcing the consumer to watch something they may not want to see... It is one thing if you see what is playing and turn the channel to watch it, but when you don't get a choice...to me, that is completely against our constitution!!! We should not be forced into looking at soft-porn or pornography...unless we CHOOSE to do so. Prostitution is illegal in almost every state! So why then, are the networks allowed to show a Victoria Secret commercial with a woman's crotch right in your face in the first screenshot??? I love shopping there, but I don't need to see a bunch of women touching themselves in a room with my children to know that I need a bra!! I have boobs people - I know I need a bra!!
I no longer have cable...I did make a choice...I am NOT going to pay to be forced to watch that crap & I don't want my son or my daughter believing that the purpose of a woman is solely for the pleasure of others.
Anyway....I believe that women are, by far, the most incredible beings on this earth!! I think, instead of wearing nothing to get attention from creepy (or any) man, we should instead wear a shirt that says,
I CAN CREATE LIFE - WHAT CAN YOU DO???
Where there is my rant, but back to the Facebook 3rd party ad take-over!! If you would like to get rid the the Facebook ads, as well as any other ads on other sites you may visit (like yahoo mail), I have a great Google Chrome extension for all of you that I found!! Here is how you take back your rights and the ability to choose what you look at (whatever that may be).
First, Got to the Google Chrome Web Store (where you can get cool extensions for your web browser) & download the Adblock Plus Beta Extension (the best extension EVER)!!
Click HERE
Once you click on the link, your screen should look something like the screenshot below. If the link does not take you directly to the extension download page, then go to the Google Chrome Web Store (https://chrome.google.com/webstore/category/home) and type "Adblock Plus Beta" in the search menu.

Click the blue button that says, "ADD TO CHROME" and then follow the steps to download the extension. Once the extension is downloaded, close out your browser and restart it (you can also press F5, but that does not always do the trick).
Now log on to your FB page and see the difference??? If you don't see a change, follow the steps to make sure that the extension is enabled in your browser...
1.  Find the WRENCH icon at the top right corner of your browser (in Google Chome)
2. Click on the WRENCH and scroll down to settings (click it)
3. A new browser window opens up with your settings page.
4. Click on "EXTENSIONS" in your left side menu
There are directions for installing this extension on a MAC computer as well. I do not believe that Firefox supports this extension, but I may be completely wrong...Just do a search for Adblock extensions and I am sure you will find something for any browser... Enjoy the peace!!
5. Look for the "stop sign" icon for the Adblock extension and make sure that the box next to "enabled" is checked"

If you still have problems, clear out your browsing history and temporary files and try again or go to the HELP menu in the Google Chrome Web Store.
I LOVE not having ads on my Facebook page!!
**For those of you who enjoy the ads or the soft porn during commercials, I am not judging you at all - I simply my own personal preference and choice not to be forced to look at those images...
Cheers!!
I also wanted to share with you the beginnings of my new web store that I am hoping to have finished soon. I was using a WIX template, but the limitations on my creativity were driving me insane. I thought using a template would be a quicker way to go, but sadly, I was wrong. I trashed everything I did and chose to use my Adobe Muse for the first time!! Holy cow - I am LOVING Adobe more and more everyday!! First , you plan out your site...mine was taken in three screenshots (so far)...hahaha

Then, you begin to work on the design without any limitations as to what you can think of to ad!!

I worked on it for a couple of hours last night and I got my Master page finished (for the most part)...TAH-DAH!!

And I even have a surprise for all of you!!

While working on a blog re-design (Yes, I am going to make some changes to my blog as well), I created some blog backgrounds that I will not be using. You are free to grab and use as you wish. They  are great for a blog background, but you can also use them to spruce up your cover pages on your files!!

Happy Sunday everyone!! 

(P.S. - the TPT Fall sale is still on until tomorrow night. Everything in my store is discounted 20% - you might want to check it out)...

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/The-3am-Teacher

And now for the FREE Blog Backgrounds!!

And an extra cute text frame shape!!

Thank you for visiting!! & Thank you for the pins!!